Of the early pioneers inthisnew venture, students forour firstYear 12. students forour firstYear 7intakeand75 our firstchallengewas to recruit150 might eventuallylooklike.Armed withthese, information wehadonwhat theCollege The architect’s drawingswere the only was tobebuiltjustderelict wasteland. exist. TheareaofgroundwheretheCollege At thattime,LandauForteCollegedidnot Coleman, thePrincipal’s PA. starting onthesamedaywasMrsHazel Project Director, MrAlanCowan. Also of thePrincipal,MrPeter Shackleton, andthe I joinedasmallteamofstaff,whichconsisted Queen’s swimmingbathsonCathedralRoad. based inasmallprojectofficeabovethe Landau ForteCollege.Backthenwewere September 1st,1991 wasmyfirst dayat and thepeoplethatIwillmiss! memories Ihavecollectedovertheyears last fewmonthsreflectingonthehappy taking onanewchallenge,Ihavespentthe family. AlthoughIwaspleased tobe students havebecomepartofmyextended the past10 yearsandthestaff College hasbecomemysecondhomeover tempered bythethoughtofleaving.The excited bymypromotion,feelingswere Headship inNorthYorkshire. Although Earlier thisyear, Iwasappointedtoa goodbyes andleaveLandauForteCollege. day whenIwillhavetosaymyfinal I havebeentryingtoputoffthefateful Farewell Mrs Renouwithherfirsttutorgroup h aduFreCleeNwlte Summer2002 The LandauForteCollegeNewsletter The timehascometosaygoodbye! J Renou success inthe future. developments and wishyouallevery to hearingabouttheCollege’s further heart butwillkeepintouch. Ilookforward staff andstudents.Iwillleave withasad with suchamotivatedandcommitted setof College, ithasbeenagreat privilege towork Over themanyyearsIhavespentat rattle aroundinsideournewbuilding. changed asithasgrown;nolongerdowe seems alongtimeagonow. TheCollegehas of myfirsttutorgroupandmyself,butitall the College.Ihavealsofoundaphotograph remember meteachingArtwhenIfirstjoined Art &Designarea.Idoubtmanyofyouwill Another fondmemorywasinsettingupthe to Derby’s newQueen’s LeisureCentre. joined inthecelebrationsofQueen’s visit Office windowinCathedralRoadasthey and MrsHolland,wavingoutofourProject youngsters, MrShackletonwithMrsJoyner have alsofoundphotographsofagroup has nowbecometheDerbyDanceCentre.I Street, inthedepthsofwinter. Thisbuilding a tumbled-down,oldbuildinginChapel us interviewingourfirstcohortofstudentsin Some oftheearliestmemoriesIhaveare unproven venture. on theirfuturesinjoiningusthis,asyet, early dayswerealsotakingacalculatedrisk students andstaffthatfollowedusinthose familiar tosomeofyou!Ofcourse,allthe Hacking. Someofthosenamesmaybe Stevenson, MrBugg,HolmesandMrs Collins, MrsJoyner, MrsHolland,Mr those stillwithusare:MrWhiteley, Mr

1 LINK Principal’s Message

We have reached the end of another moving to promotion. We wish all of them academic year, one which began with the every success in their careers and I offer my highly successful Ofsted inspection and sincere thanks for their valuable contributions then, shortly afterwards, the completion, in shaping the College. on time and within budget, of our new Library and Information Centre, College I must make special mention of two Restaurant and Conference Facilities. colleagues. Firstly, Mrs Janet Renou, Vice Principal, who is our longest serving member During the year, we have witnessed many of staff and is leaving after 11 years of excellent achievements. Please accept my excellent service. She joined the original congratulations on those achievements and project management team and has made a sincere thanks for the tremendous efforts major contribution to the growth and that have been made by everyone. establishment of Landau Forte College. We I would like to offer my thanks to the wish her well in her new appointment as students, staff and parents who have worked Headteacher of Skipton Girls’ High School. so productively together to ensure that Secondly, Mrs Gillian Joyner, Director of continued success. The effort and Science, is retiring from the College at the end preparation that has gone into the public of this academic year after more than 10 years examinations will hopefully be reflected in of valuable service. Although giving up the results. working full time, she intends to remain For those students who are leaving this involved within education in some capacity. I summer, please accept my good wishes for would like to offer my sincere thanks to both the future and my sincere thanks for your colleagues with whom I have had the privilege contribution to the growth of the College. I of working closely. hope your time at Landau Forte College has As the College continues to move forward and been enjoyable and rewarding and that you develop, I would also like to welcome our new will have many memories of your time here. colleagues. They join us from a wide range We also have a number of teaching staff of backgrounds, several of them having leaving us. Many of these staff began their other school or industrial experience. teaching career at the College and are now The changes are summarised below. Staffing Changes Summary

Tutor Subject Years at Person appointed the College Janet Renou Vice Principal 11 Elizabeth Coffey* Gillian Joyner Director of Science 10 James Robson* Judith Stafford Science 6 Julia Priestnall Daniel Bloomfield Science 5 Chris O’Connell Elizabeth Woolley Science 3 Tony Sangha Shelley Tokelov English 1 Joanne Bolton Georgina Sharples Physical Education 1 Patrina Holland David Unwin Physical Education 6 Martin Rowe Alison Spencer Performing Arts 3 Sarah Aherne Victoria Grogan Business Studies 6 Katherine Marriott Kevin Gilbert Technology 2 Jonathan Walker

*Internal appointment following national advertising and selection process

I would like to congratulate Elizabeth Coffey continuing to build upon our strong record of on her promotion to the appointment of Vice success whilst retaining our distinctive ethos Principal; as a consequence of this we have and culture. We can look forward to the appointed Alison Mansfield to join the future with justifiable confidence. With every Humanities team. In addition, Wendy Brewer good wish for the summer! will join the English team. 2 As we move into the second decade of Stephen Whiteley operation, we are faced with the challenge of Principal COLLEGE NEWS Gold Blend

The successes of Paul James, where we were expertly marshalled to our Chris Manning, Nathan Gunn, seats for the ceremony. and twins, Rob and Ruth Lucas, at Duke of Edinburgh Gold Prince Philip made his appearance, as he has Award level have been done at every Gold Award ceremony since the well-documented over the last first back in 1956, and chatted amiably with two years in Newslink. It was the groups of winners. Before departing he a pleasure to be in attendance invited the celebrity, Tony Head, to present with them to receive their the certificates on his behalf. Tony, best awards from His Royal known to the youth present as the librarian in Highness, The Duke of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, and to the oldies as Edinburgh, at St James’ Palace the Gold Blend man, duly performed the duty on May 13th. with great dignity. As anticipated, there was a long wait afterwards for parents and friends - not, Determined to make a very however, for official photographs, but for a special day out of what was to celebrity signature! be a special day anyway, students and parents met The day was a fitting culmination to a journey Baroness Brigstocke in London which has made a great impact on the young for a guided tour of the Houses lives of those receiving their award. of Parliament. Awash with Congratulations. Success: Paul James, Ruth Lucas, Robert tradition and heritage, the party Lucas, Chris Manning and Nathan Gunn moved on to St James’ Palace J Holmes Students’ Movie Magic

Earlier in the year, several touch’; the rest of the team animated and students from Landau Forte provided the voices for the numerous College produced a short film characters in the production. for the Lego Movie Maker Competition, including David However, the animation for this film was no Lawson, Oliver Bates and John easy process, as the Lego characters had to be Cheesman. They were also manipulated by hand. Although this was a joined by two students from difficult and time-consuming process, the outside the College, Samuel team overcame it through perseverance and Roelich and Richard James, outstanding effort, to produce the Lego film. who now collectively refer to They felt that, “The animation was particularly themselves as the ‘Three Flying hard, but rewarding when you see the end Bananas’. results.” This is a statement that can only be The gist of this competition was understood when watching what can only be that budding film makers were described as a vivid and colourful multimedia to make films that lasted five show. minutes and must somehow get The prize for this competition was the Steven Lego elements into their movie. Spielberg endorsed Movie Maker Set, which The team decided to create an consists of a PC movie camera, editing animated news show, entitled software, an earthquake model, T-Rex ‘TBC News’, which was presented backdrops, director’s handbooks and a by – you guessed it – Lego tutorial. characters. To make this a Of course, they don’t intend to stop there, as Award winners: David Lawson, particularly spectacular and unique film, they further projects are planned. The scripts and Oliver Bates and John Cheesman added special effects using computer video storyboards are in the works, so we will be editing software to create an award-winning expecting to see more stunning films from the and polished short film. ‘Three Flying Bananas’ in the near future and The bulk of the script writing for the film was we await their future success. produced by Samuel Roelich, after the entire team brainstormed a multitude of ideas; the 3 editing and special effects creation was by David Lawson, which gave it that ‘magic Simon Davis, Year 12 Curriculum Tradin Being only ten years old, there aren’t many Gorgeous Gardens things that can claim to be a tradition at (Heather Saul, Jade Fowler, Daniel Hancock, Landau Forte College, but one such event Paul Donald, Hailey Williamson) vying for that title is the annual Trade Fair. Students of Year 8, organised into 36 Dynamite teams, worked for a term and more to (Sophie Evans, Sade Lynch, Chris Woods, prepare for Wednesday 8th May, when the Joseph Gray, Tanzil Asghar) College was transformed to stage an event to rival the Chelsea Flower Show. The Delish theme was ‘gardens’ and the students (Stuart Parker, Caroline Jones, Marcus Gayle, produced wind chimes, bird scarers and Tayyaba Awan, Sabrina Mahmood) garden lights, along with tempting barbecue-style food, to entice visitors to Chillitos place virtual orders and help them win the (Rebecca Hankin, Holly Moore, Preparation underway competition. Claire McNulty, Nathan Waters)

Over forty businesses The overall winners for outstanding team from across the city effort were Gorgeous Gardens (Forte) and sent representatives Dynamite (Landau). Congratulations. to help add that vital touch of reality from Year 7, having been given a taste of the event, the business world – are already asking when they can start on companies ranging their Trade Fair. With the continued hard from Rolls-Royce and work and support of staff, parents and the the Inland Revenue, business community of Derby, one expects to Locko Nurseries, next year to be every bit as successful as this. Spondon Post Office J Holmes and newcomers, uDate.com.

The teams present their wares As usual, the day was WINNING WORDS! a resounding success and all students “It felt wonderful to win the Trade Fair. I am gained credits and sure, like me, all members of our group were certificates for their delighted. The great amount of effort and team performances. hard work invested by everyone was well The teams that did rewarded by winning. Friendly rivalries best, however, were between groups were at last at an end.” those who produced Chris Woods, Dynamite the best portfolio of “In my experience, Trade Fair was one of the work for the term most exciting, yet nail-biting, events of the and who were activities offered in Years 7 and 8. My group awarded the largest and I were given twelve weeks to create and percentage of orders promote a garden product that would attract on the day. as many customers as possible, along with These were: producing a good portfolio to support it. The whole experience was really enjoyable, and I OFG was really lucky to be put in a great group A team secures an order (David Brooksby, who all put in an equal amount of effort.” Faizanul Malooq 4 and Robyn Jeffrey) Heather Saul, Gorgeous Gardens Curriculum g Up Tips for success: • Make sure you portfolio is of a high standard. • Choose the most confident person as PR. • If you see business people alone, go straight up to them and introduce yourself. They could buy from your stall! • Present your products so that they are as eye-catching as possible. The Landau winners’ prizes being presented by Richard Lewis of RHL Associates Try your hardest! • When making your product in Technology, do not waste time and make sure that you finish your product. An unfinished product does not show professionalism. • Team effort is essential in any group, team or organisation in the real world. It is no different here. • Team effort will help to produce a decent portfolio. This can easily impress the business clientele. The hard work is definitely worth it! • PR skills are essential on the day. You have to be confident, and escort The Forte winners also received their awards from Richard Lewis the visitors to your stall. Practice makes perfect! • When choosing your logo, do not rush. Make sure it is easy to draw on computer by hand. Remember to make it bright and noticeable. • Advertising is very effective. Think about new ways to draw people to your stall and then impress them.

Everyone’s a winner: the full line-up of winners 5 Curriculum European Evening 2002 Live music, exciting to the pictures on the walls. The audience began adverts, a classy to enter, and this was the point when I got that ‘Who Wants To Be a nervous feeling in my throat. Millionaire?’ special and a spectacular version of The lights beamed down, the curtains opened, and the Eurovision Song it was time to go on. James welcomed them, and Contest? No, you were began with a ‘fastest finger’ question, before he not at an ITV studio, brought the first contestant up. I familiarized watching highly-paid myself with the contestant, asking them questions professionals perform, about themselves, asking them what they’d do you were at one of with the money. We were given cheques, to give the best celebration out and tear up like on the show. The rules were evenings the college exactly the same, but the prize money was, of has ever experienced! course, in euros. At first, I was nervous, but I became far more lively and looked around to see February 6, 2002: what the audience laughing and enjoying themselves. was so special about this date? This was the date when over 130 ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ students from Landau Forte College, with help from Mrs. John and the hosts Michael Siviter and rest of the language tutors, put something back James Hassall, Year 10 into the college, and performed for The European Evening 2002.

When I was first approached and was asked to play the part of Chris Tarrant in a ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ special, where all the questions were on a European theme, I agreed to do it spontaneously, not really understanding the full concept of the role. The weeks went by, the evening drew closer and I hadn’t really given it much thought. It was when I went to a meeting that I realised just how important my role was. ‘Eurovision’ winners Year 7 Germany My spot would be taking up the whole of the first half of the show, and when I was up on that stage In true Chris Tarrant style, when the contestant I had to be in control. I hadn’t realised what I was was on the brink of winning 16, 000 euros, I shot letting myself into: I thought that my part would straight into a break without confirming the just be small, and I would be on and off that stage, answer, leaving everyone in suspense. Everybody faster than you can say ‘phone a friend’. I relieved in the audience sighed, as the adverts came on. some of the pressure by nominating James Hassall They all looked highly amused, and Mrs John gave to share the role of Chris Tarrant with me. me a huge smile, as if to say, ‘Well Done!’

Together, we recorded shows of ‘Who Wants to be It was James’s turn next, and he kept the audience Millionaire?’, and tried to pick up phrases and enthralled with his wild sense of humour and his mannerisms from Chris Tarrant. We practiced the hilarious antics on stage. Sadly, nobody won way he sat, the way he laughed, but mainly the 1,000,000 euros, but I don’t think the contestants way he keeps the contestants in suspense. and the audience minded too much, as they looked as though they thoroughly enjoyed it, anyway. Dancers in the interval, At the dress rehearsal we got to see the other Year 9 Spain performances for the first time. I was very The remaining acts did an absolutely amazing job, impressed with the adverts that Key Stage 3 and I was proud to say that I was a student at students had produced in their language lessons. A Landau Forte College that night. I think all the firm favourite of mine were the Year 9 boys, who students and staff that were involved deserve created a comical scene from the Budweiser great thanks, especially the team who provided the advert, with the infamous phrase, ‘WHASSSSUP?’, buffet in the interval. translated into Spanish as ¿Qué pasa?, and had me in hysterics every time I saw it. It was also a Did I enjoy European Evening 2002? Would I like to chance for us to see the Eurovision Song Contest be involved again next time? Do I think it was a presenters, with their excellent pronunciations. huge success? Yes, and that really is my final answer. 6 When we entered on the night, before the audience had arrived, the room looked superb. Everything just looked perfect, from the candles on the tables, Michael Siviter, Year 10 Curriculum Eurovision 2002 Bonjour! from Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany and Spain. Each act was expertly introduced Guten Tag! in the native language (followed by a ¡Buenos Dias! translation into English by Helen) and the entertainment continued whilst voting took Hejsan Svejsan! place. In typical Eurovision style, the voting was The evening commenced announced in a variety of languages including with a tribute to the French, German, Spanish and Swedish, whilst popular TV show, ‘Who a high-tech scoreboard revealed the leader wants to be a Millionaire?’. throughout the contest. Whilst on-stage excitement revealed the audience’s The eventual winner was Germany and ‘Eurovision’ international hosts extensive knowledge (or lack of!) all things everyone revelled in the reprise of the left to right: Robyn Addison, European, backstage, the co-hosts for the performance by the triumphant Year 7 group, Rusi Jaspal and Gemma Avey 2nd half of the evening, Robyn, Gemma, which was led by Miss Watson. Rusi and Helen, were a bundle of nerves.

After a brief interval, the Landau Forte Robyn Addison and Rusi Jaspal, Eurovision Song Contest began with entries Year 12 Granada Work Placement In February, as part of our in, especially as it was being delivered in Year 12 work placement, English. Some of the tests for 12 year olds we spent two weeks in were at GCSE standard! I assisted the teacher Granada working in an by asking the children questions about the independent bilingual topic they were studying. This was important school. As well as gaining for the children because, even though they valuable work experience, attended a bilingual school, many of them it gave us a chance to use had never spoken to a native English speaker. our Spanish, which we We spent the weekends and night-times have been studying at AS practising our Spanish with our host families. Level. At times this was quite hard-going and was Rusi Jaspal and Jane Hamilton Our journey got off to a humorous start on the extremely tiring, but at the same time are welcomed to Granada 12th of February, with a misunderstanding of extremely useful. College what date the flight left! This resulted in me One of the highlights of the visit was the having to wake up Rusi at 3am in the morning weekend I was taken to the Alhambra Palace. in order to catch the flight. Apart from this The weather was great and both the views small hiccup, the journey went according to and building’s interior were spectacular. I also plan and 12 hours later we were at the school. spent a weekend on the coast staying with The next two weeks were spent working at the relatives of my host family, sampling the school and living with our host family. delights of Spanish cuisine! Virtually all subjects were taught in English, The time we spent in Spain was invaluable with the exception of Spanish. Rusi and I with some unforgettable moments, and I worked in separate classes, with students strongly recommend the experience to aged between 7 and 12 years old. anyone wanting to enhance their 7 I helped in science classes, where I couldn’t linguistic skills. believe the depth that the subject was taught Jane Hamilton, Year 12 Curriculum Brussels Work Placement

When I arrived in Brussels, I our way about was really filled with mixed the Brussels Metro emotions: I was extremely system and so we excited but also slightly were less worried frightened, as we were about getting lost about to spend a fortnight ‘en route’. As the away from all responsible new school term adults! had begun, we were all now working at The youth hostel was ‘cosy’ schools. (really small) and ‘warm’ (absolutely boiling), but it My children were aged between 2 was clean and had lots of ...and sample the local fayre storage space for the deluge and 4 and were of make-up that we all little angels. They were learning about secondary brought with us. colours (blue + yellow = green, etc.) and so we had lots of messy paint sessions. Most of the children The first day of the placement had a nap in the afternoon, so we played games with was a bit daunting. I was the rest. Year 12 French students working at a play scheme for under-privileged soak up local Belgian children during school holidays. The children were After the fortnight was over and we were waiting culture... little monsters but seemed to enjoy themselves, (forever) for a plane at Brussels Airport, I was and I think that my French imperatives improved amazed that we had survived so long without our (sit down, stop that, and so on), as did my accent. parents – we even did our own washing! I was still By the time we met Mrs John for lunch at the quite glad to be going home to my own bed, but weekend, we all had a range of stories to tell. was glad to have had such a varied and challenging experience. By the second week, we had got used to finding Lorraine Stacey, Year 12 Osnabrück Work Placement The long trek across half of Europe began on Michael Hull (who are English and very famous, to Saturday 9th February, 2002. 24 hours later, those in the know!). Lynsey and Woody worked and after much confusion, arguments and together at ‘OK Radio’, producing their own live disputes over seats, we eventually reached our show, “Guten Morgan Osnabrück from Lynsey destination: Osnabrück. Kömisch und Matthew Holzholz”, and wandered We had all been excited during the trip, but as the the streets interviewing people on Valentine’s Day. coach pulled into Osnabrück station and we came Alarna and Kelly seemed pretty happy with their face to face with our exchange partners with jobs, also working in a primary school. whom we would be sharing the next 10 days, With our varied working hours, it was difficult for things seemed to be a bit more scary! We all us to meet up, but we managed it most days, going quickly dispersed to our surrogate families and, to Café Spitze (our regular) or Pizza Hut. We all with the help of a few text messages, we all let agreed that German food was gorgeous; Lynsey each other know how homesick we were feeling. even liked the sauerkraut! I was staying with a boy called Tobias and he and And soon the 10 days we had dreaded had flown by his family soon made me feel very welcome, though. German students take a and we were on our way home. So was it as scary As well as having the ordeal of travelling to a as we had first thought? No, we all loved it and break from work placement foreign country on our own and staying with an some of us are going back soon; I’ve even been exchange family, we were also expected to go to offered a job after my A Levels. Staying with a work! We all got placements in and around family who didn’t speak any English really helped Osnabrück, and relatively near to where we all our German and we’ve all come back feeling much lived, but it was still very nerve-racking on the first more confident, not just with the language, but day. also generally, and we feel proud that we managed Stephen worked at a primary school where he was to do it all on our own. So we learnt a lot, saw the target of much female adoration from the another country’s culture AND had a brilliant 8 under 7’s; Vicky, due to her great talents for the laugh; quite a ‘jammy’ work placement, we reckon! performing arts, was placed at the town’s theatre, and I worked at a dance school run by Patsy and Louise Betts, Year 12 Curriculum Sun, Sea...and Hornsea

There we were, twenty of us, to collect our data on pebble size, longshore anticipating sun, sea and surf, waiting drift and a variety of other experiments. with bated breath to discover the However, the elements were not on our side; destination of our field study. After papers were blowing everywhere, equipment several months of being confined to was strewn across the beach and then it the classroom, we were to be let loose. began to rain. Would it be the Caribbean or the Fortunately for us, we managed to escape the Mediterranean? Or even the Canaries? rain, as we dashed onto the bus and departed We discovered that our destination was north for Flamborough Head, our second to be the much-talked-about coastal expedition of the day. Worlds apart from resort of Hornsea. Hornsea, Flamborough Head epitomised all For those of you unfamiliar with Hornsea, that would be expected of quaint English it is a small town somewhere off the East cove. Aside from our primary task of data Coast. ‘But why go there?’ we hear you collection, a new goal presented itself: Miss Atkinson saves a crab ask. Well, we, as individuals, had each ‘Mission: Save the Crabs’. These poor planned unique and innovative investigations, creatures had been carried to the top of the which would examine and explore the beach by the sea and were stranded, helpless, dynamics of this colourful location, along the as life was draining from them. To do our part Holderness coast. for wildlife, we tried to save them and The only thing fortunately for the crabs, we were now standing triumphant, however it did prove troublesome between us, the at times! intrepid group of After the tasks at hand were completed, we geographers, and collected our equipment, and climbed up the our destination, cliff at Flamborough Head. We were all was the journey: exhausted by such a feat, only to find that the illustrious half the equipment had been left on the excursion between beach, and so a brave few had to trek all the one place and way back down and up again! another, which hardly ever runs Finally, after such an eventful day, we Year 12 geographers prepare according to plan. However, surprisingly for mounted the bus and began our journey back for their mission! us, this was not the case. The journey ran to Derby, dreaming of statistical tests, report smoothly and after two and a half hours we writing and diagram drawing. At the end of arrived safely in Hornsea. the day, it all boiled down to a single exam, and hopefully for us, success. Armed with quadrats (wooden squares), clinometers (angle measurers) and metre rules, we were now ready to split into groups James Burke and Simon Davis, Year 12 GCSE Geography Visit to Derby As part of their coursework, Year 10 “It was an interesting experience and made conducted their fieldwork at 3 different me think about things that I had never shopping sites in Derby. Unfortunately, the considered.” weather was not kind to us and Mr Holmes’ David Servante group got very, very wet. Still, the other days were fine and we managed to visit all “The visit was very informative and useful for three sites: Kingsway, Littleover and Derby our coursework. It was also a very enjoyable city centre. day.” Students were asked to draw maps of the Jamie Burkin, Zakir Karim, Rebecca Drew shopping areas, count the number of people using the different sites and conduct questionnaires to find out why people shop at 9 those locations. S Atkinson Curriculum We’re Going to the Zoo...

In term 4, all Year 7 students embarked on a nine-week study, culminating in a design for a new zoo. The students spent the first five weeks studying scientific concepts such as food webs, pyramids of biomass, adaptation and habitats. Following this, the students visited Twycross Zoo, to see, at first hand, how a real zoo resolves the issues of space, housing, feeding and health. Armed with this knowledge and experience, the students set about designing their own zoo. The problems that they faced included: stocking it with animals that can coexist; A new arrival at Twycross Zoo The Reptile House providing suitable environments; closely matching the animals’ natural habitat and resolving problems of classification. They • In Languages, they interacted with a also had to write a mission statement to German speaking web-site, describing explain the aims of their zoo, and produce animals in a Namibian habitat a detailed case study on one of the • In Geography, they studied climates and animals. how this affects the distribution of species • In Art, the students made animal masks Work was not limited to science lessons. Other curriculum areas made their own The high quality of the students’ work contribution, including: reflected the energy and enthusiasm with • Producing an article to be sold in the zoo which they tackled the project. gift shop in Technology • Using vectors and co-ordinates to navigate around the zoo in Maths D Bloomfield and J Robson Twycross Zoo When we went to Twycross We went to see the tigers, We went in quite a bunch; Asleep in the heat of the day. Adam took ten sandwiches The tiger roared and stuck up his claws In his big packed lunch. Until we ran away.

When we got to Twycross We went to see the monkeys We all got off the bus; They jumped around in play, We wanted to stay with our friends Although we did a lot of work But we were told not to fuss. We had a fabulous day.

10 Elliot Hawker, Year 7 Curriculum Engineering Pioneers

The Engineering Education scheme was The day came to leave for Loughborough with launched at college during the month great enthusiasm and back-of-envelope of November, when a group of four sketches. The phrase “it will work” was a enthusiastic students were targeted constant reminder of the amount of work for selection to undergo a national needed to be done in the workshops. The engineering-based project. The team three days were very intense and craved high consisted of David Allcock, Jane Hamilton, levels of teamwork and patience, if the device Steven Marsh and myself, was going to be a success. The help of Jane’s who all specialised in milling expertise and the copious amounts of different subject areas, caffeine consumption got us through each including Maths, Physics day. Our time at Loughborough gave us all and Design Technology. an insight into the engineering industry and developed our communication skills We were allocated an individually. engineering company, AEA Technology Rail, to On leaving Loughborough, our nearly-working work with throughout device was an indication of all our hard work the project. They provided during the project. Several months of frayed us with the essential nerves were to follow, as we put together a equipment and assistance, report and prepared for the presentation and the occasional bad and celebration day at Ford College. joke, to help us succeed The presentation day was a great success and with our task. We were very enjoyable, notably the fantastic buffet! The team display their required to design and make a suitable device We were approached by a number of project to measure certain parameters of rail track engineers who found our design intriguing. geometry. As part of the achievement and recognition The design stage was for the project, each of us received a Gold without a doubt the Crest Award for the project, which rewarded most challenging time us individually for the work contributed. This for us. We found that award has been a great achievement for all of devising a practical the team and the College. As a member of the scheme was not as easy team, I felt we represented the College well as it first appeared. and set an encouraging example for those Being thrown into the students that are considering the Engineering deep end, initially, we Education Scheme. It was a highly enjoyable managed to overcome and memorable experience. our ‘inventor’s block’ and come up with a Team and advisors receive suitable design. Of course, only having a Rachael Allen, Year 12 their certificates maximum of four weeks preparation time meant a tight schedule and a high level of commitment was needed.

Junior Maths Challenge What is 40% of 50% of £60? 11 A £7 B £8 C £12 D £15 E £20 Arts Poetry Corner

This edition, we present a submission from a post-16 student, which fuses the poetic art form with astronomical reflection. The editor welcomes submissions of original work from students of all ages, for publication in future editions.

J Grant

Here we stand in the middle of infinity, Looking straight at it, but seeing nothing. To say that Outer Space is huge is an understatement; The man who fully realises its size would need a rather large mind.

But the key to the door of infinity is our own imagination; Even before we could see into the heavens, Men were dreaming. For generations, we have been conjuring images of strange beasts.

New worlds, different lives. Culture has been a refuge for much folklore, Stories have sprung form the most miniscule of facts. I say to you, the vastness of space is nothing, Compared to the dreams you have.

David Taylor, Year 12

12 Arts Going Solo

The Musical Performer of the Year and Dramatic “It was my first dramatic monologue and I really Monologue Competition was once again a enjoyed the whole experience. Everyone was very powerful evening, with Oscar-winning excited and it got a bit frantic backstage before performances across the board. The Dance Band, the performances. I was really nervous before my Singers and Dance Club supported the evening performance but everyone said it was good. The with Chris Manning presiding as Master of audience was really supportive and I would really Ceremonies. Judges were Emma Archer, tutor of like to have another go next year.” RE and Drama; Janet Renou, Vice Principal and Catherine Bathurst, Year 8 returning students Sarah-Jayne Halls and Louise Harris. “The whole evening was an enjoyable experience, and it was incredibly tense. I felt I really built up So how did the evening feel for the performers? my confidence by performing. Nothing can Some of them have summed it up in their own prepare you for the night, no matter what you tell words: yourself. But it was very successful and “After finding out who had got through to the I would hope to try again next year. One top tip to finals of the Dramatic Monologue Competition, I make it a perfect evening is to bring lots of water had not really expected to win anything or even to drink!” come second. My greatest hope was to enjoy the Caroline Jones, Year 8 evening and not to forget most of my monologue. Junior Dramatic Monologue The night before was mostly spent making last- winner: Esther Gunn minute changes to my piece and getting my costume ready. Most of the performance day was spent worrying about what was going to happen: did I know my monologue well enough? Suddenly, there was less than an hour to go and I still needed to get changed, get my props ready and tune up with the Dance Band. I completed these tasks just as the audience was beginning to enter the College. The first half went well, with me just simply playing with the Dance Band, and watching the junior entries of the Musical Performer and the Dramatic Monologue Competition. During the second half I watched the other performers in the senior section with growing worry, and dread, and I began to wonder how I had even got through to the finals. Senior Musical Performer of the Year: Then, at last, it was my turn to perform. During the Simon Smith with Mr Whiteley and judges performance, however, my nerves settled and I Sarah-Jayne Halls and Louise Harris. Senior Dramatic Monologue began to enjoy myself. After a long wait, the results winner: Andrew Manning came back, and I found out that I had won! I was totally amazed, and I would recommend entering Congratulations to all of the finalists: the event to anyone, because, above all, it gives Musical Performer of the Year: you a great boost to your confidence.” Michael Hertz, Caroline Jones, Emma Ryde, Andrew Manning, Year 10 John Ryde, Jasdeep Sidhu, Simon Smith, “As my name was announced I rose from where I Claire Vasey and Christopher Wragg. was seated and walked towards the stage. I didn’t Dramatic Monologue Competition: think I would be nervous, as I have been involved in Catherine Bathurst, Daniel Farrar, Esther Gunn, many performances since I joined LFC. But this Caroline Jones, Steven Kew, Andrew Manning, was different, because I didn’t have anyone else to Lorraine Stacey, Sarah Stephenson and support me on stage; it was just myself and the Joe Tansley. audience. I started my piece and about half way through my second sentence my left leg started to A Spencer shake, my nerves were finally catching up on me! But I carried on and hoped it added to the dramatic effect of Macbeth slowly going mad! Answer to Junior Maths I did not realise the effect that being on stage alone can have upon you, but it was a brilliant Challenge experience.” 13 Junior Musical Performer of the Answer: C Year: Jasdeep Sidhu Steven Kew, Year 9 Arts Never a Dull Moment! There’s never a dull moment in Performing DANCE CLUB EXCELS ONCE MORE… Arts. So what’s been happening since the Not content with simply performing at last Newslink? Sudbury Hall this year, Landau Forte Youth Dance will also be performing in Derby ACROSS THE CURRICULUM… Cathedral. Whilst Years 10,11 and 12 were engrossed in devising and performing outstanding practical BRASSED OFF? examination work, Key Stage 3 showed that Brass workshops continue for Year 7, with they too had much to offer! many students taking the plunge. Amongst many other things, Year 7 created Greek Theatre and devised dances using JOSEFINA! Greek mythological figures: Year 8 explored LFYT, the Singers and Dance Club are ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Year 9 combining their talents again to produce a quite literally ‘got the blues’ as they stunning evening of entertainment at Derby performed their own blues songs as part of Cathedral in aid of World Vision. Rehearsals Year 9 get the Blues! their end of Key Stage assessments. are underway: prepare to be astounded once more! THE PROFESSIONALS… Week 2 was an exciting week, with two professional companies working with our students. Rambert Dance Company challenged students from Years 9,10 and 12 with stimulating practical workshops based on the repertoire from Swansong and Ghost Dances. The students were guided through an exciting dance technique class, taken by Claire Morris, before embarking on inspirational choreographic tasks. The result was a student performance which exceeded all expectations. 8 Forte met Riding Lights Roughshod Theatre Company the following day, who performed 8 Forte experience “Science their latest piece, “Science Friction”, as well Rambert Dance Company and Friction” with the Riding as treating them to a thought-provoking Year 10 Performing Arts Lights Theatre Company drama workshop. make contact! Bully for You The Junior Youth Theatre’s latest hard- hitting piece deals with bullying in school, of the home and in the workplace. A lively combination of chorus work, improvisation and monologue, “Bully for You” is being performed in Gatherings and out in the community. The message is clear: there’s NEVER a reason to bully, so stop it! NOW! There’s never a reason to bully 14 Nor an excuse for why It’s only the weak that bully A Spencer And often the strong that cry Sports Report Term 5 Round Up JUNIOR GOLF the College include Steve Chohan, Mo Ali, Ryan Mozley and Louise Roome, all in year CHAMPIONSHIP 12, and Nathan Croot and Amy Spencer, from Year 10. In addition, Tom Collis from Merrill Ben Lee, Year13, Matthew Jones, Year 12 and and Laura Glanowski from Murray Park, both David Clemens, Year 8, participated in the Year 10, have also attended, not to mention a annual Junior Golf Championships, held at past student, Indijit Chera, who completed Kedleston Golf Course, in Derbyshire. Overall, her 6 week placement from Mackworth the team came in 6th place and raised over College. £100 for the British Heart Foundation. Well done, lads! INTER-DIVISION SPORT RELIEF AT SPORTS SHIELD LANDAU FORTE The competition is nearing its climax for this year; at present the score is Landau 7 – COLLEGE Forte 14. However, there are plenty of opportunities for Landau to make a late Landau Forte College is taking part in the comeback and steal it from the jaws of nationwide fund-raising event, Sport Relief, victory! which is supported by TV personalities and athletes such as Gary Lineker, Tim Henman, Alan Hansen, Michael Owen, Nasser Hussain, Johnny Wilkinson and Denise Lewis. It’s NOTTINGHAM similar to Comic Relief, but money is raised SAMSUNG TENNIS through sporting activities, with the emphasis on fun and getting active. We have organised CHAMPIONSHIP VISIT events such as the tutor base World Cup sweepstake, sponsored football and tennis Over thirty students attended the matches, aerobics sessions and many more Nottingham Tennis Championships on activities. All money raised goes towards Tuesday 18th June. They watched some of disadvantaged children in the UK and around the World’s top players competing and then the World. participated in a coaching clinic, which was led by professional coaches. SUMMER FIXTURES ‘UP AND UNDER’ Landau Forte College has entered teams in the local cricket and rounders leagues, as well Landau Forte College’s balls are famous! as participating in County and District Derby Playhouse borrowed some of our rugby Athletics meetings. Results will be included balls as props for their production of ‘Up and in the next Newslink. Under’, which has been showing over the last two months. In return, the PE staff were awarded free tickets to watch the show and WORK PLACEMENTS have received a ball signed by the cast. WITH THE PE TEAM N Maddock The PE Team has provided opportunities for a number of students on their Year 12 and Year 10 work placements, both from within the 15 College and from other schools. Those from Sports Report Sportsperson of the Month Award The following students were awarded their Sportsperson of the Month shield for outstanding achievement and contribution towards their sport:

February Mitchell Coventry Year 7 Basketball

March Robbie Davy-Cripwell Year 10 Tennis

April Suzie Cunningham Year 9 Football

May Hannah Collar Year 10 Karate 16 Sports Report Ski Visit to the Pila and Aosta Valley In March, Mrs Holland, Miss Fawcett and restaurants on the mountain. Suzie took the Mr Doody took twenty-four students, from intermediate group and Craig and Elliot Years 7 to 10, skiing in Italy. Our coach taught the beginner’s group. Suzie took us drivers were funny and we had to make over lots of jumps, most of which ended up in sure that we did as Bob said! wipe-outs! Sometimes our groups would meet up and we would have snowball fights We skied each day for four hours with our in the deep snow. instructors and had lunch at one of the many Our hotel was good and they were very fond of cooking pasta, which we had every night. After dinner each night, we would take part in different activities such as ice skating, bowling, a disco or a pizza night. All of the staff joined in the activities and it was great fun. Pila and the town of Aosta were beautiful places. We had a great time and enjoyed meeting the locals. The Interski reps and the drivers were really helpful. Finally, we would like to thank the tutors who made the visit possible. Prepared for the pistes Emma Howe, Year 8, and Leanne Duffin, Year 9 Student Profile Name: Mitchell Coventry Year: 7 Age: 12 Sport: Basketball I started playing basketball at the age of six, at Derby Storm, then went on to play for the Derby Trailblazers, who are based at Chellaston. I have played for them at various levels. This season I helped the Minis team finish second in the Nottingham Open League. In the final, we met Stoke, who had not lost a final for three years. It was a very close game; we were winning by one point, with three seconds to go, and then someone committed a foul, which gave them a chance of three free throws. Unfortunately they scored all of them and we lost by one point – very exciting for the people who were watching, but upsetting for those who were playing. I finished as the top points scorer for the Minis this season. At Passerelle under-thirteen level, we finished third in the national finals; a good result because the team had only been together for six months. That was when I was told that I had been selected for the East Midlands squad, so I was very pleased that day. This season, I have trained with the under-sixteens and eighteens, as well as with the under-thirteens. I was given the chance to play in some of the local Nottingham League games, where I enjoyed playing against some of the more experienced players. In addition, I have been training with the East Midlands squad and have developed into a better player for it. Awards: Derby Trailblazers Minis Best Hustler Award 2000-2001. Nottingham School of Basketball Camp Best Team Player, 2001. Landau Forte Sportsperson of the Month, February 2002. 17 Derby Trailblazers Minis MVP Award, 2001-2002. Mitchell Coventry Sports Report College Staff on a Race For Life At 11.00am on Sunday 12th May, ten highly- trained athletes, all women from Landau Forte College, prepared to take part in Race for Life, a 5km walk, run, jog or crawl(!) in aid of Cancer Research UK. I was one of these athletes.

We trained very hard for the gruelling event (well, The team before... we did Ram FM’s 5 minute warm up). We lined up at the start with 3,000 other women, ready and raring to go – and we were off. We took off at a tremendous speed; I estimate our speed to be approximately ‘snails pace’. We did, however, speed up towards the end – well, it looked good to ...and after cross the finishing line actually running! First over thank you to all those who kindly offered their the line from our group was Sheena Kelsey – well support. done Sheena! S Reading on behalf of the team: We all thoroughly enjoyed the morning and we A Back, H Coleman, L Cundy, J Holmes, were cheered on by our friends and families. We S Kelsey, H Kirk, M Lound, R Pioli and collected over £350 in sponsorship money so a big S Rayson Tiptoeing Over Hot Coals

We all like to try something different, so when into an exam, you automatically tell your asked if I would like to walk barefoot over subconscious that you are nervous, so your body red-hot barbecue coals for charity, I agreed. It becomes nervous. If you approach the exam by was only later, after I had visions of hobbling saying, “ I will succeed, I’m good at this,” then your into College with bandaged feet, that second body will relax and your fears depart. That was the thoughts set in. theory, anyway, but maybe the instructor just hypnotised us. The event was held on a Saturday night at the Tudor Court in Draycott. At the allotted time, we stormed confidently out, full of positive thoughts, right up to the pit, where We band of firewalkers arrived at 6.30 for training, the sight of all that glowing fire in the dark of the whilst serious men outside began to prepare the 10 night was rather distracting. I waited for my turn, feet long fire pit by lighting a large fire to heat the then stepped out and walked tall to the end. embers. The result? I can say I felt no more than a smarting Training lasted two hours. The physics are that in my soles like walking barefoot on hot stone, and John Cox though the coals are red hot, they are made of I acquired no blisters. I also raised three hundred wood, which is a poor conductor of heat to your pounds for charity, which made it all worthwhile. feet. The sweat from your feet is supposed to evaporate creating a barrier against the heat. This The instructor finished by suggesting we may like all works as long as you stride confidently out and to consider his other training course, walking do not waver, slow or even stop. Such pauses cause barefoot on broken wine bottles, now that would you to be burnt. be just stupid, wouldn’t it? 18 So we were taught positive mental techniques, which basically centre on the idea that when going J Cox COLLEGE NEWS Life After Landau Michael Harrison arrived at Landau Forte His diligence has been rewarded, however. College with our first post-16 cohort of He was responsible for the overall ‘look’ students, in 1992. After studying A-Levels of the new Mickleover Methodist Church, on in Art, Mathematics and Physics, he went Station Road, in Derby: “In particular, the on to study Architecture at the University strange triangular bit of roof that sticks out at of Newcastle. the front!” It would Perseverance and determination are obviously seem that essential qualities for anyone wanting to Michael is follow a similar career path: Michael has being too notched up two degrees, which took 5 years modest to complete, and has been working as an about his architect for nearly 3 years, but has yet to abilities, as finally qualify! the design Architecture: building the future won his company the Civic Trust Award for Since graduation, Michael has been working the Best New Building in Derby, in 2001. for Allan Joyce Architects, who are based in Nottingham. He says: “They’re not the most We wish Michael continued success in famous firm in the world, but it is a really nice the future. working environment, which goes some way to make up for architects’ wages!” J Grant

COLLEGE NOTTINGHAM Adult Education Our ever-expanding adult education Cake Decoration classes go from strength to strength. Languages Spanish – Italian – French - The following are just some of the classes Mandarin on offer at Landau Forte College. European Computer Driving Licence Courses are available from September IBT2 and IBT3 2002. Some day-time I.T. courses are Computers for the Terrified available during our Summer College in Computer Aided Design using AutoCad2000 July. Please ask for details. Flash Internet & Animation New CLAIT Improve Reading & Writing New CLAIT - Art Improve Working with Numbers Psychology – ‘A’/’AS’/’A2’ Levels Home Interior Design Sociology - ‘A’/’AS’/’A2’ Levels Desk Top Publishing English Literature ‘A’/’AS’/’A2’ Levels Law - ‘A’/’AS’ Levels All classes are taught – not ‘teach yourself GCSE Maths, English, Art by manual’. Book-Keeping Level 1 Cert/Diploma Accounts Level 2 Cert/Diploma For further information, or to request a PowerPoint Prospectus, please contact Andrea Back C.A.D. 3D or Sheena Kelsey. Sage Payroll 19 Web Page Design Text & Word Processing Andrea Back Have you considered us? Credits EDITOR J Grant For Your For Your PRINCIPAL • Board Meeting or Conference • Conference or Lecture Presentation S Whiteley • Party or Celebration • Musical Performance SUB-EDITOR • Training Seminar • Theatre Production or Show G Davies • Presentation • Dance or Theatre Group STUDENT JOURNALIST Simon Davis STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS Robyn Addison Rachael Allen Catherine Bathurst Louise Betts James Burke Mitchell Coventry Leanne Duffin Jane Hamilton Elliot Hawker Emma Howe In our redesigned and In our modern Theatre facility Rusi Jaspal Caroline Jones refurbished Conference Room we can offer: Steven Kew and Bar Area we can offer: Theatre with banked seating Andrew Manning • Heather Saul • Full Boardroom facilities for 200 Michael Siviter Lorraine Stacey • Projector facilities and • State of the Art presentation David Taylor interactive electronic technology Chris Woods Whiteboard • Convenient City Centre STAFF CONTRIBUTORS • Seating for Seminars or location with ample parking S Atkinson Training events D Bloomfield • Excellent catering and bar J Cox Excellent catering and bar facilities J Holmes • N Maddock facilities R Pioli S Reading J Renou J Robson A Spencer Landau Forte College Shop S Whiteley ADDRESS FOR LETTERS, • Fiction Books The Landau Forte College CONTRIBUTIONS AND Shop opened on Tuesday ENQUIRIES: • Revision Books 2nd April, 2002 and is The Editor here to meet all student Newslink • Art Supplies needs. c/o J. Wright We have a range of both Landau Forte College • Maths Equipment fiction and text books, Fox Street alongside a large range Derby • Calculators of stationery, birthday DE1 2LF • Computer Equipment cards, computer Telephone: equipment, art supplies 01332 204040 • Mousemats and maths equipment. Facsimile: We have new stock 01332 371867 • Landau Forte Logo Items arriving regularly so come and visit us and see what OUR PUBLISHERS: • Seasonal Specials we have to offer! Impress (Leicester) Ltd 8 Morris Road Open: Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 8:30am, 9:30am to 10:45am, 12:00pm to 2:00pm Leicester Telephone: For further information Please contact: 0116 270 0999 John Cox, Director of Finance and Administration on Facsimile: 0116 270 2172 Derby 204040 E-mail: [email protected]